The Purosil silicone elbow hose from the thermostat above the water pump is leaking a bit, so I thought I'd replace it. The original part number, 90-225-M2, is clearly stamped on the side of the elbow, so I thought it would be easy to find a replacement. Not so. I have found that the current number is 90-225-MK, but so one seems to be able to cross to it. I've been to three auto parts stores and two heavy-duty truck places with no luck. Also no luck at Amazon. I haven't called Foretravel yet.
Questions: Could I find a regular hose with the proper inside diameter (2.25") and sufficient hose length and just cut it to fit? Is it worth the time to call Foretravel to see if they would have the hose? Since this is an engine part, not a coach part, I wonder if they would even have this. They didn't have the hydraulic pump a couple of years ago.
A little pricy, but it is the hose.
90-225-MK2 2.25" 90 DEGREE SILICON ELBOW - Reliable Industries (https://store.reliableindustries.com/silicone-hose-products/90-225-mk2-2-25-90-degree-silicon-elbow/)
OUCH!!!
Amazon.com: Godspeed Turbo Intercooler 2.25 Inch 90 Degree Elbow Silicone... (https://www.amazon.com/Godspeed-Turbo-Intercooler-Degree-Silicone/dp/B005I6FJKM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1497915567&sr=8-8&keywords=90+degree+2.25%22+silicone+elbow)
That elbow would be a Foretravel specified part and not Detroit Diesel. All the air intake, exhaust (after the turbo), fuel and cooling components are Foretravel's design.
Silicone radiator hose and elbows like that are supposed to last the life of the engine. I would make sure it's really the elbow that is leaking. You certainly can use a standard rubber elbow (verses silicone) but it will have a limited service life of something like 10 years. You should be able to measure the current hose and match it to currently available elbows (rubber or silicone). The diameter (2.25"), radius of the bend and the lengths of the straights are all that really matter and that it is designed for a coolant application. And, of coarse, you can always trim the length.
Call your local Detroit Diesel dealer with your part number. DemandDetroit: Find A Dealer | Demand Detroit (https://demanddetroit.com/find-a-dealer/) NAPA truck may have something that will work.
Silicone hoses are usually lifetime products. Are you sure it's the hose?
Pierce
T-Man, this is a cooling part, not a turbo part. Does that make a difference?
John, I'll call Foretravel tomorrow. That may explain the different part number. Purosil has a 90-225-MK listed, while what I have is 90-225-M2. Perhaps the 2 designation is for the Foretravel-specific item.
Pierce, I probably won't know for sure until I take it off, and once I do that I may as well replace it with a new part. I'm starting to learn that our heavy-duty, million-mile engines assume that those million miles are put on in a fairly short time. My nephew is an over-the-road truck driver, and he says that 150,000 - 200,000 miles is a normal year of engine use. That would mean that those million miles will be put on in 5-7 years. My engine was nearly 24 years old at the time of the rebuild. I wouldn't be surprised to find that that silicone elbows are starting to have a leak or two.
I would suspect that your hose life is dictated by time not miles. Modern silicone hoses have incredibly long lives compared to the old days.
You can also have stainless elbow made up and use straight silicone hose which is readily available. I did this on my lower radiator hose and eliminated trying to locate a preformed hose in that size. Use the search for the links to the thread.
I have all the original rubber cooling hoses on our 1984 MBZ 300D and have never had one of the rubber ones fail. My case tractor has the OEM hoses out of the 1950's with no leaks. We had all silicone on the Detroits at the F.D. and just never had one leak. They are really super long life hoses. They are priced by the inch.
A quote:
Silicone hoses last practically forever and might possibly outlast your car. Because they have such a long lifespan, they can average out to a lower cost per mile compared to rubber hoses, even though their upfront cost is higher.
Silicone vs. Rubber Hose - Flex Technologies Incorporated (https://www.siliconehose.com/blog/silicone-vs-rubber-hose/)
Pierce
I don't think so. The coolant should be cooler than the turbo.
Look on eBay, much less money!
Thanks, Racedad. I'll check there later.
I called Foretravel this morning, and after a brief battle with their phone system I talked to a real human. I told him what I needed, he checked the computer, and told me that they have eight in stock. Price is somewhat over $100 each, plus shipping. I said I'd pass.
At this point I think I'll just add antifreeze as needed and not worry about getting the hoses, unless my check of eBay turns up something good. We don't have any specific plans after December, so we may head back down to Nac and have OTM change the hoses and coolant in January.
Didn't you just spend 30umpteenthousand dollars on a rebuild and didn't get new hoses on it!
Yes, I did just spend umpteen thousand dollars on an engine rebuild. I didn't get new hoses, but I did get new coolant. I didn't see any leaks at the time, but I'm starting to see some evidence of it now. I suspect that if those hoses weren't touched they probably wouldn't be seeping now.
I also suspect (actually, I know) that I'm looking in the engine compartment far more now than I did before. I used to look things over when I landed and just before an engine start. Now I look in at least once a day.
We know what you spent. It blows me away that the hoses were not replaced, as well. :thumbsdown:
I expect it's the hose R&R that caused it with some corrosion on the fittings where the hose goes back on. Good to either pull the fittings and put them on a wire wheel or use emery cloth on them before trying to put the hoses back on. Good to clean the inside of the hoses where they make contact with the piping.
Worm gear clamps are just OK. Best are T bolt hose clamps. They cost more but don't cut the hose. See at: Amazon.com: T-Bolt Hose Clamps - Hose Fittings: Industrial & Scientific:... (https://www.amazon.com/T-Bolt-Hose-Clamps/b?ie=UTF8&node=979131011)
Just for the record, I would reuse the silicone hoses unless they looked damaged. I would clean every mating surface very carefully.
Pierce
Try "siliconehose.com" and buy the hose clamps they sell also,and if you have room I would double clamp the hose.
As most sailors know, you double clamp everything below the waterline and rotate the clamps 180 degrees from each other before tightening if you have room.
Pierce